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Boston Red Sox Memories: Derek Lowe no-hits the Devil Rays in 2002

By Mark Chekares

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 02: The Red Sox logo seen outside of Fenway Park on what would have been the home opening day for the Boston Red Sox against the Chicago White Sox April 2, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. In response to the pandemic, Major League Baseball suspended the remainder of Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 02: The Red Sox logo seen outside of Fenway Park on what would have been the home opening day for the Boston Red Sox against the Chicago White Sox April 2, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. In response to the pandemic, Major League Baseball suspended the remainder of Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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On April 27, 2002 Boston Red Sox hurler Derek Lowe came within one base on balls away from a perfect game. Boston’s offense struck early and often. Lowe dominated the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, striking out six en route to securing his place in the record books. I was there, and it was magical.

Looking back on Boston Red Sox history prior to 2004 is a weird thing. We’ve been so blessed as Red Sox fans the past sixteen years, notching four championships in that span, that it’s almost impossible to get into the pre-2004 headspace of my fandom.

I will say this…prior to the roster of “Idiots” who brought the hardware home, we Red Sox fans celebrated what we could. The big prize eluded us, so we tried to take solace in our minor victories.

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In 1967, the Boston Red Sox didn’t win it all, but there were zero expectations that year, so nice try boys! In 1975 we celebrated and romanticized a New England catcher’s home run that won Game Six of the World Series, even though we lost the next game.

In 1978…ah never mind. In 1986…yeah nothing positive there either. On April 4, 2001 Hideo Nomo tossed the earliest no-hitter in baseball history in Baltimore, and Boston’s first since the ’60s. I jumped around on the couch like he just fanned the side in the ninth inning of game seven.

My point is winning changes perspective. I used to live and die by every pitch pre-2004, and on a crisp but sunny April day, Derek Lowe certainly had the 33,000 fans at Fenway chomping on their nails as much as their franks.

The day is as vivid now as it was then. I was living in Chestnut Hill (posh, I know) and was headed down to nearby Jamaica Plain to meet up with my buddy BJ for the Saturday matinee with the then Devil Rays from Tampa.

The Rays were bad in these days and came into the game at 9-13. I was optimistic that the Old Towne team would notch a W for us. Lowe was pitching well at the time with a 4-1 record and a 2.03 ERA. Although a tad chilly, the sun heats up the bleachers pretty quickly. It was going to be a glorious afternoon.

I met BJ and we started our day at Miami Restaurant in JP for a quick breakfast. I hadn’t really had any Cuban food before, and my taste buds were electrified by perfectly fried eggs, rice, and beans, and I think I got some mashed plantains there too. We drank strong coffee and talked about the promising start to the season.

The Boston Red Sox were in first place in the AL East at 15-6, two games ahead of the Bronx Bombers. We decided to walk to Fenway, which is about a three-mile hike, but the weather was gorgeous, our bellies were fat, and we ended up running into and chatting with our friend Mary along the way, which was a nice surprise.

When we reached Landsdowne, we quickly grabbed some suds and made our way up the steps to section 36, row 14, seats 11 and 12. There was definitely a good vibe in the air.

Lowe cruised through the first inning, but he walked the leadoff batter in the third, which no one really thought much of at the time. Mainly because Boston Red Sox bats would not be denied. 600-year-old Ricky Henderson opened the bottom of the first with (surprise, surprise) a leadoff homer into the Green Monster. Great way to set the tone.

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In the bottom of the third, the Sox went off on Rays’ starter Delvin James. Henderson ignited the offense again with a single. Jose Offerman walked. Nomar Garciaparra popped out. Manny Ramirez ripped a single to center scoring Ricky. Brian Daubach was issued a free pass. Shea Hillenbrand singled bringing in Offerman. Jason Varitek scorched a ground-rule double plating Manny and Daubers. Rey Sanchez then singled, knocking in Varitek and Hillenbrand.

It was already 7-0 in the third inning against a bad team on a beautiful day. I was stoked. The Red Sox tacked on another run the next frame, too.

I think the magic started happening in the top of the sixth. Lowe had only allowed one base runner, and people were starting to notice. BJ and I didn’t really discuss Lowe’s performance up to that point because if you’re a baseball fan you know there are two rules about a possible no-no in progress:

  1. Don’t talk to your pitcher
  2. Don’t say the word “no-hitter”

Lowe took the mound and promptly disposed of the first two batters looking. They were just dumbfounded. He had that sinker rocking and rolling.

Sinkerball pitchers usually get better as fatigue sets in, and Lowe must’ve been getting super tired because he then got lead off man Jason Tyner to strike out swinging. That was the moment.

When Lowe K’d Tyner we stood up, cheered, and sat down then I turned at looked at BJ, and he returned my gaze. Our eyes met and we instantly shared an understanding. This was starting to be something special. I’ll never forget that moment. Two friends and baseball fans who had the exact same thought running through their heads at the same time. He might do this.

Just for fun, the Boston Red Sox tacked on another two runs in the 8th to extend their lead to 10-0. A victory was imminent, but there was more on the table than just a victory. It was a chance to see history.

Boston Red Sox fans hadn’t seen a no-hitter at home since Dave Morehead blanked the Cleveland Indians on September 16, 1965. The Sox ended up losing 100 games that season. The attendance for Moreland’s gem was…get this…1,247.

If Lowe was able to pull this off, we would be in an extremely exclusive club of fans that had witnessed a Fenway no-no. Lowe got the first batter, Russ Johnson to line out to second base. I remember although the ball was hit pretty well, Sanchez ate that thing up like I did my breakfast at Miami’s. Then, we had a little scare.

It’s usually the case that during a no-hitter there’s usually one memorable defensive play that saves it. You gotta remember, Johnny Damon was the starting center fielder that season, but I think I remember him tweaking something the game prior, so Henderson got the start.

Ricky still was in great shape but was well past the prime of his career. Felix Escalona stepped up to the plate a ripped a line drive to center that looked like it was sinking fast. Could Henderson get to it in time, wearing orthopedic cleats and dragging his oxygen tank behind him? Henderson didn’t get a good jump on the ball as I recall but swooped in and nabbed the ball just below the thigh. Two outs.

Tyner came up again and Lowe induced a grounder to Sanchez at second. I distinctly remember hearing nothing after he made contact. The silence was deafening. 33,000 fans went quiet, holding our collective breaths.

Sanchez flipped the ball to first, and Lowe had done it. Up until that point in my life, that was the most exciting sporting event of my lifetime. Before I started a family, I would always try to message BJ every April 27 and give him a quick, “happy anniversary” text or email, or whatever the hell we were doing in 2002.

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We celebrated by heading back to Jamaica Plain and crushing beers at the Brendan Behan Pub. A fan couldn’t have asked for a better day at the ballpark.

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